Heater cold, temp. warning light lights on

1. kupervaser Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 4

   #1 15th December 2011, 10:29

   Hi guys, I am new here end hope tio find some advise.
   
   I own a Saxo 1.1. from 1999, all plain, nothing special. At this moment has 109000 km on it. A few months ago the temperature warning light started coming on. It stays on for around 1 minute and goes off. This sometimes happens and sometimes not, can't find any patron. Togather with this the heater stays cold when the engine is idle or driving for example in city traffic. Only when on the highway the engine does around 3500 to 4000 rpm the heater gets hot as it should. However when stopping at a traffic light and the engine goes to idle, the heater runs cold again. So it is only warm on high RPM.
   
   The coolant level is fine, I am not loosing any. I changed the temperature censor a few months ago and bled the system. It seemed to help a litle, haven;t seen the light for a while but now it came back, and the heater is cold.
   
   For the rest, the engine runs good, doesn;t use any oil, no blue smoke and is pretty economical.
   
   Any ideas how to proceed? I don't really know the collant/heater system.
   
   Thanks
2. holdawayt Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a

   #2 15th December 2011, 10:35

   I know that the Vtr and Vts have a series of bleeding nipples throughout the system to get rid of any air locks. If the 1.1 is the same, I'd suggest rebleeding the system to ensure it's not something silly like an air lock first.
   
   After that, check your thermostat is operating properly. (Take it out of the car and place it into a bowl of boiling water, this should open the thermostat). Then check to see it closes again.
3. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #3 15th December 2011, 10:41

   Sounds like you have an air lock & need to bleed the cooling system mate,air locks are common on saxo`s.
4. kupervaser Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 4

   #4 15th December 2011, 10:41

   I have bled it like 4 months ago, but I will make sure to bleed it again. Ok will check the thermostat. Could the waterpump also controbute to this malfunction?
5. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #5 15th December 2011, 10:44

   A water pump can play up yes,try flushing the cooling system with a radiator flush,then re-fill & fit a new thermostat(not expensive)
6. kupervaser Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 4

   #6 15th December 2011, 10:54

   Thanks
   
   How can you explain the heater only warms up while driving fast?
7. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #7 15th December 2011, 11:14

   Sounds like the coolant isn`t circulating properly.
8. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #8 15th December 2011, 11:26

   Same problem buddy - stevo67's right, too much air in the system. Once you bleed it, it'll be fine
9. kupervaser Newbie Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 4

   #9 15th December 2011, 13:41

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by geraintthomas Same problem buddy - stevo67's right, too much air in the system. Once you bleed it, it'll be fine

   Does your temp warning light goes on as well? Why does this happen?
10. kennym1987 Established Member Joined: Sep 2007 Armadale, West Lothian Posts: 1230 flatty 16v sleeper and a regular vts

    #10 15th December 2011, 13:51

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kupervaser Does your temp warning light goes on as well? Why does this happen?

    the light come on because the engine is over heating. the coolant is not circulating properly as stevo67 already said. if not bled up properly you run the risk of warping the head. its not hard to bleed
11. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

    #11 15th December 2011, 14:01

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kennym1987 the light come on because the engine is over heating. the coolant is not circulating properly as stevo67 already said. if not bled up properly you run the risk of warping the head. its not hard to bleed

    Exactly right. In a nutshell, there's air where there should be water, so it's not cooling the engine properly - hence why your coolant level is fine, your engine sounds fine, but your car overheats. Mine is exactly the same, and bleeding the radiator will fix it
    
    I've got a thread I started on here a few days ago actually, and Barry123 posted a HUGELY helpful reply on how to bleed the radiator. Have a look here.
12. kennym1987 Established Member Joined: Sep 2007 Armadale, West Lothian Posts: 1230 flatty 16v sleeper and a regular vts

    #12 15th December 2011, 14:05

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by geraintthomas Exactly right. In a nutshell, there's air where there should be water, so it's not cooling the engine properly - hence why your coolant level is fine, your engine sounds fine, but your car overheats. Mine is exactly the same, and bleeding the radiator will fix it I've got a thread I started on here a few days ago actually, and Barry123 posted a HUGELY helpful reply on how to bleed the radiator. Have a look here.

    its not even so much the radiator, its the top bleed point and the one at the thermostat that need doing the most. usually as soon at the top one is done the flow is more or less back to normal

    1 user thanked this post: user_53493